The White House Historical Association, exclusive creator and manufacturer of the Official White House Christmas Ornament, continues the tradition of issuing the iconic collectible with the 36th ornamentin the series. This year’s design was created by Kayla Whelan, a student designer at Montserrat College of Art, who won the Association’s national competition to create the 2016 design.

The White House Historical Association is a private nonpartisan, nonprofit that supports its mission to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the White House through sales of the annual, American-made ornament.

The Official 2016 White House Christmas Ornament from the White House Historical Association is American-made and honors President Herbert Hoover and the 1929 Christmas Eve fire. (PRNewsFoto/White House Historical Association)

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White Housethat conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. She sought to inspire Americans, especially children, to explore and engage with American history and its presidents. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion‘s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the Association has given more than $45 million to the White House in fulfillment of its mission. (To learn more about the White House Historical Association, please visit:whitehousehistory.org.)

The festive design for the 2016 ornament is inspired by fire trucks that responded to the five alarm West Wing fire on Christmas Eve 1929, and the toy fire trucks presented to children by President and Mrs. Hoover the following year. Recognizing President Herbert Hoover as the 31st President of the United States and honoring the more than one hundred firefighters who responded to the blaze, the 2016 White House ornament is crafted from shiny brass plated with nickel and 24k gold, and the fire truck carries a Christmas tree for delivery to the White House.

The Official 2016 White House Ornamentretails for $20.95 directly from the Association at its stores in Washington, D.C., online at whitehousehistory.org/2016, or by phone 1-800-555-2451. Select third-parties are authorized to resell the annual White House ornament, purchasing their inventory from the Association. (No alternative designs are authorized as the Official White House Christmas Ornament.)